Apparatus, and associated method, for estimating a time zone at which a device is positioned

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, and an associated method, estimates a time zone at which an electronic device, such as a wireless device, is positioned. Parameters, such as a mobile country code, a GMT offset, a daylight savings time parameter, and geo location parameters are all candidate parameters from which to make an estimate. Received parameters are identified, and selectably used to obtain an estimate that is matched or verified to ensure likely accuracy.

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/444,988 filed on Feb. 21, 2011, the contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

The present disclosure relates generally to a manner by which toestimate the time zone at which a wireless, or other electronic, deviceis positioned. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to anapparatus, and an associated method, by which to estimate the time zoneusing one or more parameters delivered to the wireless device.

Selection of which parameter, or parameters, to use is made to obtain anestimate that is likely to be valid while limiting the amount ofresources that are consumed in the estimation.

BACKGROUND

Advancements in communication technologies have permitted thedevelopment and deployment of new types of communication systems and newtypes of communication devices operable in such systems. Theavailability of such systems through which to communicate has, for many,become a practical necessity of everyday life.

Cellular communication systems, and other radio communication systems,are exemplary of communication systems that are used by many. Thenetwork infrastructures of cellular communication systems have beeninstalled to encompass significant portions of the populated areas ofthe world. A wireless device, sometimes referred to as a mobile deviceor mobile station, is used to communicate by way of the networkinfrastructure. When a wireless device is positioned within the coveragearea of the network infrastructure and granted access to communicate byway of the network infrastructure, a user is able to carry out acommunication service with a remote location by way of the networkinfrastructure. Communications are effectuated using a wireless devicepositioned at almost any location encompassed by the networkinfrastructure of the communication system.

Other wireless communication systems, such as WLANs (Wireless Local AreaNetworks), exhibit various of the communication attributes of cellularcommunication systems. Use of WLANs, as well as other radiocommunication systems, is also frequently made to carry outcommunication services.

Successive generations of cellular, and other, communication systemshave been developed and deployed. First-generation systems that werefirst deployed provided for voice communication services and limiteddata communication services. Successor-generation systems generallyprovide for more data-intensive communication services as well as theservices provided by prior-deployed communication systems.New-generation systems, for instance, provide for the communication oflarge amounts of data to permit data-intensive communication services tobe performed.

Wireless devices operable in a cellular communication system aretypically of small dimensions and weights. The devices are typically ofsizes and weights to permit the devices easily to be hand-carried by auser. And, such devices are regularly hand-carried by the user, orotherwise maintained at, or close to, the user so that the wirelessdevice is available, when needed, to carry out a communication service.The network infrastructures are operated by network operators. And,network operators sometimes operate networks that are national, orsometimes international, in scope.

Due to the portability of wireless devices that permit the wirelessdevices easily to be carried by a user, a wireless device exhibits thesame mobility as the user that carries the device. If, for instance, theuser travels, the wireless device, carried by the user, travels alongwith the user. The travel might be limited, such as the travel of theuser during a daily commute between typical home and work locations.But, if the user travels longer distances, for instance, travels by airor otherwise travels a significant distance, the wireless device,carried with the user, correspondingly travels a significant distance.

The repositioning of the wireless device at the new location mightrequire registration of the wireless device at a different network, suchas a network with which the operator of a home network associated withthe wireless has a roaming agreement. The registration, if needed, ofthe wireless device at the new network permits connection of thewireless device in communication connectivity with the network so that acommunication service can be carried out by, or with, the wirelessdevice.

Pursuant to registration, and as well as at other times duringoperability of the wireless device, operating parameters are provided tothe wireless device, either automatically or responsive to query by thewireless device. The operational parameters are used pursuant tooperation of the wireless device to permit communication connectivity aswell as to define and to control aspects of operation of the wirelessdevice.

When the wireless device is repositioned at the new location, sometimes,not only is the geographical positioning changed, but, further, thelocal time in the area at which the wireless device is positioned isalso be changed relative to the local time at which the wireless devicewas previously positioned. Changes in local time, such as the result ofchanging into, or out of, daylight savings time, or other local timechange, might cause the local time to change.

While various of the operation parameters provided to the wirelessdevice provide for an inference to be drawn of the local time and timezone, time zone in which the wireless device is positioned.Additionally, the parameters that are provided to the wireless devicemight not be current or available, and if available, the parameter,might not be accurate or might even be incorrect.

A solution to these, and other, problems of the existing art aretherefore needed.

It is in light of this background information that the significantimprovements of the present disclosure have evolved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a functional block diagram of a communication systemin which an implementation of the present disclosure is operable.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process diagram representative of the process ofoperation of an implementation of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method flow diagram representative of the method ofoperation of an implementation of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure, accordingly, advantageously provides anapparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating estimation of atime zone at which a wireless, or other electronic, device ispositioned.

Through operation of an implementation of the present disclosure, amanner is provided by which to select one or more parameters deliveredto the wireless, or other electronic, device from which to estimate thetime zone at which the device is positioned, to perform the estimation,and to verify the likely accuracy of the estimation. The parametersthereby are used to estimate t he time zone.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, selection is made of one ormore delivered, parameters to minimize resource consumption, such asbattery consumption, data transfer bandwidth, and processing time, orother time period, needed to make the estimation while also providingfor an accurate time-zone estimation.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an identifier is providedto make identification of parameters delivered to, and detected at, thewireless, other electronic, device. Each parameter is downloaded, orotherwise communicated, to the device. A parameter is provided to thedevice either automatically or responsive to the request for theparameter. A parameter is provided to a wireless device, for instance,pursuant to registration of the device, such as when initially-powered,at selected intervals, or triggered responsive to an event occurrence.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a determiner is provided todetermine which, if any, parameters have been received at the device.The determiner determines, for instance, if more than one parameter hasbeen received. And, specifically, the determiner determines whether toselect two parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC) and a GMT(Greenwich Mean Time (GMTM) offset. The mobile country code is anetwork-provided parameter that identifies at least the country, by acoded indication, at which the network is located. And, the GMT offsetis also a network-provided parameter. The GMT offset is a parameter thatindicates a time difference in, e.g., hours, that the local time isoffset from the Greenwich Mean Time. The GMT offset is, e.g., part of aNITZ (Network Indicated Time Zone) Indication. Communication of themobile country code and of the GMT offset is network-specific. That isto say, the generation of such parameters is dependent upon thenetwork-type, i.e., the operating protocols and standards with which thenetwork conforms. The MCC is defined and is mandatorily broadcast in theprotocols of certain communication systems but not others. And, the GMToffset is part of a mandatory broadcast in certain communication systemsbut not others.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, an estimator is provided toestimate the time zone of the location at which the wireless, or otherelectronic, device is positioned. When a determination is made that morethan one parameter has been received, the estimator, if desired, makesan estimation of the time zone of the location at which the wirelessdevice is positioned based upon a combination of the more than oneparameter. If, for instance, both a MCC and a GMT offset are identifiedto have been delivered to the device, the estimation is based upon acombination of the received parameters. A determination is made whenmaking the estimate based upon the more than one parameter as to whetherthe parameters match, i.e., correspond or otherwise are non conflicting.If the parameters match, correspond, or do not conflict, then theestimation is considered likely to be accurate, that is to say, theestimate is considered to be strong.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a verifier verifies theestimated value. The verification is made, for instance, by comparingthe estimation with a current-time indication, such as an indicationprovided by a time server, if available.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, if only a single parameteris available, or if the estimation based upon the more than oneparameter does not match or cannot be verified, then the estimation ismade upon a single parameter. The single parameter is, e.g., either ofthe aforementioned MCC or GMT offset parameters, if available, and theestimation is verified, such as verified with a current time providedby, e.g., a time server. The use, or availability, of the MCC and GMToffset parameters and relative priorities and weights given to theparameters in the time-zone estimation. If the verification is positive,then the estimation is considered likely to be accurate. If theverification is negative, then estimation is performed in anothermanner. And, for example, if the time-zone-estimate is able to be madeusing the MCC, the GMT offset, or a DST, Daylight Savings Time,parameter, then the estimates so-obtained is utilized as the estimate.If the estimate is unable to be obtained, then geographic locationinformation is utilized to obtain the estimate. The geographic locationinformation comprises, for instance, a cell identity, cell ID, of a basetransceiver station, or other sending station within range of thedevice. Or, the geographic location information comprises GPS, GlobalPositioning System, information.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, once an estimate isobtained, the estimated time zone is compared to an existing time-zonetime. If the values are dissimilar, then the new time zone is set, or auser of the device is prompted to set the new time zone. And, if thereis no change in the time zone, then the time zone is set without needfor user interaction.

In these and further aspects, therefore, an apparatus, and an associatedmethod, is provided for facilitating estimation of a time zone at whichan electronic device is positioned. A determiner is configured todetermine if more than one time-zone-estimative parameter has beenreceived at the electronic device. An estimator is configured to obtainan estimate of the time zone based upon at least twotime-zone-estimative parameters if determination is made that at leasttwo selected time-zone-estimative parameters have been received at theelectronic device. The estimator is configured to obtain an estimate ofthe time zone based upon one time-zone-estimative parameter if a singleselected time-zone-estimative parameter has been received at theelectronic device.

Turning first, therefore, to FIG. 1, a communication system 10 providesfor communications with wireless devices of which the wireless device 12is exemplary. The communication system 10, in the exemplaryimplementation, comprises a cellular communication system that operatesin general conformity with an operating specification of a cellularcommunication standard. The communication system is also representativeof any of various other communication systems having wireless devicesthat are provided mobility, i.e., are positionable at different times atdifferent locations. And, more generally, the wireless device 12 isrepresentative of any of various electronic devices that arepositionable, at different times, at different locations.

The communication system includes a network part, here represented by aradio access network (RAN) 16 and a core network (CN) 18, such as a datanetwork, e.g., the Internet. Devices are placeable in communicationconnectivity with the network 16 or 18. Here, a network device 22associated with the network operator of the network 16 is shown. Variousinformational parameters are sourced at, or routed by way of the networkdevice 22. The network device 22 is representative of any of variousnetwork devices, specifically including network devices that generateparameters. While the following description shall describe exemplaryoperation in which the parameters are sourced at the network device 22,in an actual implementation, the parameters are sourced at any ofvarious network locations and entities.

Communication connectivity with the wireless device is provided by wayof radio channels defined upon a radio air interface formed to extendbetween the network and the wireless device. Radio channels 26 arerepresented by the arrow extending between the radio access network 16and the wireless device 12.

The wireless device includes radio transceiver circuitry, hererepresented by a receive (Rx) part 32 and a transmit (Tx) part 34.Information sourced at the wireless device, such as speech informationtransduced by a transducer 36 into electrical form, is caused to betransmitted by the transmit device 34 and by way of radio channels andthe networks 16 and 18 for delivery to a destination. And, informationsourced elsewhere, including at the network device 22, is routed throughthe network 16 and/or 18 and sent by way of radio channels 26 fordelivery to the wireless device. The transducer 36 forms part of a userinterface 37, which also includes a speaker 38, an output element 39,and an input element 40.

As mentioned previously, during operation of the communication signal,parameters are communicated to the wireless device 10. The parametersthat are communicated during operation of the system 10 arenetwork-dependent. That is to say, certain parameters are sent duringoperation of some networks and not others and vice versa. Additionally,such parameters to be useful to the device must also be timely,up-to-date and accurate. And, as mentioned previously, not only are notall of the parameters available at any particular time, but,additionally, if available, the parameters might not be accurate ormight be incorrect, limiting the accuracy of conventional time-zoneestimation.

An implementation of the present disclosure takes advantage of theparameters that are provided to the device 12, either by the network orother circuitry, to obtain an estimate of the time zone, that is to say,the parameters are time-zone estimative. Selection of which parametersto use in the estimation or the priority is dependent upon which arereceived and the wireless technology, considered likely to be accurate,and consume the least resources.

The wireless device includes an apparatus 42 of an implementation of thepresent disclosure. The apparatus 42 facilitates estimation of a timezone at a location at which the device 12 is positioned. The apparatus42 is functionally implementable in any desired manner including, forinstance, hardware implementations, firmware implementations, algorithmsexecutable by processing circuitry, and combinations thereof. In theexemplary implementation, the elements of the apparatus 42 arephysically located at the wireless device. In other implementations, theelements are distributed at more than one physical location.

The apparatus 42 includes an identifier 46, a determiner 48, anestimator 52, a verifier 56, a comparator 58, and a memory element 62.The functions performed by the elements of the apparatus are, in oneimplementation, carried out at a control element of the device 12.

The identifier 46 is coupled to receive indication of parameterscommunicated to, and received at, the receive part 32 of the device 12.In the exemplary implementation, the identifier identifies delivery atthe device 12 of each of the parameters at the device. An indication ofthe identification, and which here also includes the identity of each ofthe parameters, is provided to the determiner 48.

The determiner 48 determines if more than one selected parameter,indicated by the identifier, has been received at the electronic device.In the exemplary implementation, the determiner determines if both anMCC, mobile country code, and a GMT, Greenwich Mean Time, offset havebeen received at the wireless device. Determination is also made ifother parameters are received and identified or if only a singleparameter is received and identified.

Determination made by the determiner is provided to the estimator 52.The estimator operates to obtain an estimate of the time zone based uponone or more parameters received at the device 12. The estimator firstmakes estimation of the time zone based upon the at least two selectedparameters if the selected parameters are received at the device.

A mobile country code is a network-provided parameter that is broadcastin GSM-based (General System for Mobile Communications-based) networks.An MCC is not mandated to be broadcast in a CDMA-based (Code-Division,Multiple-Access-based) network. The mobile country code identifies thecountry in which the network station that broadcasts the mobile countrycode. The mobile country code does not necessarily permit directestimation of the time zone therefrom. If the mobile country code is ofa country having multiple time zones, the mobile country code permits aprecision of estimation corresponding to the number of time zones withwhich the identified country encompasses. Therefore, for the reason thatthe MCC is network-specific and might be indicative of more than onetime zone, an estimation based solely upon a mobile country code isgenerally a speculative estimation.

A GMT offset is a parameter that identifies a time difference, typicallyin hours or a gradient thereof, offset from Greenwich Mean Time. The GMToffset parameter is typically broadcast by a network that provides anNITZ (Network Identity and Time Zone). The NITZ is not generally amandated communication, and, therefore, the GMT offset parameter is notalways available. Additionally, the GMT offset is not necessarilybroadcast correctly. In a CDMA network an NITZ is generally required,and the GMT offset is, therefore, typically sent to a wireless deviceoperable in such a network. The relative importance of potentialvalidity of a GMT offset in a CDMA network is therefore generally higherthan that in a GSM network. Additionally, even if broadcast correctly, aGMT offset does not permit direct estimation of a time zone, due, e.g.,to different time zone definitions and daylight savings time changes ata local area. Therefore, use, alone, of a GMT offset to estimate a timedoes not permit, generally, an estimation with high likelihood ofaccuracy.

Estimation made by the estimator using both the MCC and GMT offsetparameters is permitting of generation of an estimate that has a stronglikelihood of accuracy. When the estimation is based upon more than oneparameter, a determination is further made of a match between theparameters which, in the exemplary implementation, further includes aDST (Daylight Savings Time) parameter that, e.g., is sometimes sent aspart of the NITZ. If a match is confirmed, the estimate based upon themultiple parameters is considered to be strong, i.e., likely to becorrect. The estimate formed by the estimator based upon the multipleparameters, when available, is verified by the verifier 56. The verifierverifies the estimate obtained by the estimator such as, e.g., bycomparing the estimate with a current time provided by a time server. Ifa current time, or the time server is unavailable, verification is notperformed.

The estimator further forms an estimation based upon a single parameterif multiple, selected parameters are not available or if an estimationbased upon the multiple parameters is not matched or is not verified.And, instead, estimation is based upon a single parameter. Estimation isbased upon a received MCC parameter. The estimation is considered to beweak when the originating network is a GSM network and is considered tobe very weak when the originating network comprises a CDMA network. And,estimation using a GMT offset parameter, using a GSM-network-originatedparameter is considered to be very weak, while a GMT offset originatedat a CDMA network is considered to be weak.

Estimation by the estimator based upon a single parameter is verified bythe verifier when a current time, such as a current time sourced by atime server is available. If verification is made, i.e., verification ispositive, the estimation based upon the single parameter is consideredto be strong.

In one implementation, if the verification is negative, then theestimation is made in another manner. For instance, the estimation ismade by comparing current time information with time values stored atthe wireless device.

If an estimation that appears likely to be valid, i.e., that isconsidered to be strong, then the estimated time zone is set at thedevice 12 as the time zone of the area at which the wireless device ispositioned. If the estimation is considered to be weak, the estimationis made in an alternative manner. If the MCC, GMT offset and DSTparameters are unavailable, or if the estimation based upon, or derivedfrom, the parameter is considered to be weak, the estimation is basedupon a geographic location parameter, i.e., a Geo Location. Thegeographic location parameter comprises, for instance, a Cell ID or GPSinformation.

Geo location information, when obtained from a Cell ID, is converted tolatitude and longitude coordinates and then converted to a readable,meaningful value, such as country, state, etc. using reverse geo coding.A Geo location parameter is very accurate, but the parameter is notalways available, due, e.g., data not being available for a specificcell or when data access is not available. Obtaining of Geo locationinformation based upon the parameter also is power-consumptive and alsotime- and data-transfer-consumptive. Positioning information is alsoobtainable from a GPS, Global Positioning System, information parameter.The GPS information is generally very accurate, represented inlatitudinal and longitudinal coordinates. GPS information also has to beconverted, using reverse geo coding operations into a meaningful form,such as country, state, etc. representations. An estimation based upon aGPS parameter is also power-, time-, and data-transfer-consumptive.

When an estimation is made based upon any, or any combination, of theparameters, a new time zone time is compared with an existing time zonetime by the comparator 48. The existing time zone is, for instance,stored at the memory 68 and retrieved for performing the comparison. Ifthe values differ, a user of the wireless device is prompted to makeselection, e.g., by way of the input element 40 or the time zone isautomatically set and, e.g., displayed at the output element 39. If thecomparison indicates there to be no change in the time, then the timezone is set without user intervention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process diagram 72 representative of the process ofoperation of an implementation of the present disclosure. The processestimates a time zone of the area at which a wireless, or otherelectronic, device is positioned. After entry, indicated by the startblock 74, a time zone estimation using an MCC and a GMT offset is made,indicated by the block 78, if the parameters are available. Adetermination is made at the decision block 82, as to whether a timezone match is successful. If not, the no branch is taken to the decisionblock 84. And, if so, the yes branch is taken to the decision block 86.At the decision blocks 84 and 86, determinations are made as to whethera time server from which to obtain a current time indication, isavailable.

If a determination is made at the decision block 84 that a time serveris available, the yes branch is taken to the block 92. At the block 92,the estimated time zone is selected. If a server is not available, theno branch is taken from the decision block to the block 94 andadditional action is not taken.

If at the decision block 86, if a time server is available, the yesbranch is taken to the decision block 96. A path is also taken from theblock 92 to the decision block 96. At the decision block 96, adetermination is made as to whether the estimated time zone is verifiedusing the current time obtained by a time server. If so, the yes branchis taken to the block 102, and the estimated time zone is applied.

If the verification fails, the no branch is taken to the block 106. Atthe block 106, a second estimation, using an alternate parameter ismade. Then, and as indicated by the decision block 112, a determinationis made as to whether the estimated time zone is matched. If so, the yesbranch is taken to the block 102. If not, the no branch is taken to theblock 114, and a LBS, location based selection, is used. The locationbased selection utilizes a cell ID or GPS parameter.

FIG. 3 illustrates a method flow diagram 126 representative of themethod of operation of an implementation of the present disclosure. Themethod facilitates estimation of a time zone at which an electronicdevice is positioned. First, and as indicated by the block 128, deliveryat the electronic device of up to a selected plurality oftime-zone-estimative parameters is identified. Then, and as indicated bythe block 132, a determination is made as to whether more than onetime-zone-estimative parameter has been received at the electronicdevice.

Thereafter, and as indicated by the block 134, an estimate of the timezone is obtained. The estimate is based upon at least two parameters ifdetermination is made that at least two selected parameters have beenreceived at the electronic device. The estimate is obtained based uponone parameter if a single selected parameter has been received.

Thereby, a manner is provided by which to estimate the time zone atwhich an electronic device is positioned. The estimation is based uponone or more parameters received at the device. The estimation utilizesredundancy, if possible, while also minimizing the number of parametersused and minimizing the power, data-transfer, and time-consumptionrequired to make the estimate.

Presently preferred implementations of the disclosure and many of itsimprovements and advantages have been described with a degree ofparticularity. The description is of preferred examples of implementingthe disclosure, and the description of examples is not necessarilyintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. The scope of thedisclosure is defined by the following claims.

1. An apparatus for facilitating estimation of a time zone at which anelectronic device is positioned, the apparatus comprising: a determinerconfigured to determine if more than one time-zone-estimative parameterhas been received at the electronic device; and an estimator configuredto obtain an estimate of the time zone based upon at least twotime-zone-estimative parameters if the determiner determines that atleast two selected time-zone-estimative parameters have been received atthe electronic device and configured to obtain an estimate of the timezone based upon one time-zone-estimative parameter if a single selectedtime-zone-estimative parameter has been received at the electronicdevice.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an identifierconfigured to identify delivery at the electronic device of all of up toa selected plurality of time-zone-estimative parameters and wherein thedeterminer is configured to make determination responsive toidentification made by the identifier.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising a verifier configured to verify the estimate obtainedby the estimator.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the verifier isconfigured to verify the estimate with a current time indication.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein the verifier is configured to verify theestimate with an MCC, mobile country code, indication.
 6. The apparatusof claim 3 wherein the estimator is further configured to obtain anestimate of the time zone in an alternate manner if the estimate firstobtained by the estimator fails verification by the verifier.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6 wherein the estimate of the time zone in thealternate manner obtained by the estimator is based upon a geographiclocation indication.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the electronicdevice comprises a wireless device and wherein the geographic locationindication comprises a cell identifier.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7wherein the geographic location indication comprises a GPS, GlobalPositioning System, identifier.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theat least two selected time-zone-estimative parameter comprises a mobilecountry code and a GMT, Greenwich Mean Time, offset.
 11. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein the one time-zone-estimative parameter comprises amobile country code identification.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe one time-zone-estimative parameter comprises a GMT, Greenwich MeanTime, offset indication.
 13. A method for facilitating estimation of atime zone at which an electronic device is positioned, the methodcomprising: determining if more than one time-zone-estimative parameterhas been received at the electronic device; and obtaining an estimate ofthe time zone based upon at least two time-zone-estimative parameters ifdetermination during the determining that at least two selectedtime-zone-estimative parameters have been received at the electronicdevice and configured to obtain an estimate of the time zone based uponone time-zone-estimative parameter if a single selectedtime-zone-estimative parameter has been received at the electronicdevice.
 14. The method of claim 13 further identifying delivery at theelectronic device of all of up to a selected plurality oftime-zone-estimative parameters and wherein the determining comprisesmaking determination responsive to identification made during theidentifying.
 15. The method of claim 13 further comprising verifying theestimate obtained during the obtaining the estimate.
 16. The method ofclaim 15 wherein the verifying comprises verifying the estimate with acurrent time indication.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein theverifying comprises verifying the estimate with an MCC, mobile countrycode, indication.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein the obtaining theestimate further comprises obtaining an estimate of the time zone in analternate manner if the estimate first obtained during the obtaining theestimate fails verification during the verifying.
 19. The method ofclaim 18 wherein the estimate of the time zone in the alternate manneris based upon a geographic location indication.
 20. A method forfacilitating time-zone identification at a wireless device, the methodcomprising: initiating identification of a time zone at which thewireless device is positioned responsive to a triggering event;identifying time-zone-estimative parameters received at the wirelessdevice; selecting at least one time-zone-estimative parameter identifiedduring the identifying to use to estimate the time zone at which thewireless device is positioned; obtaining an estimate of the time zone atwhich the wireless device is positioned with at least a level ofverification.